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Relationships

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Emotional Affair or more?

41 replies

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 13:16

I've been with my partner for 26 years. We have 4 children together. And I've come to learn that he isn't the man I thought he was. The woman involved in this I knew he occasionally spoke to, didn't like it, but never thought anything of it. He then started talking down to me while constantly talking about her and how amazing she is. I got suspicious and went through his old phone, and what I found was at least 5 years of messages between them. I was physically sick and shaken as I read through them. They constantly said I love you to each other daily. She called him her husband, her forever husband, he would reply calling her mrs. A lot of sexual content shared, sharing about his day, asking to see her nude. Writing poems asking to taste what's between her legs. It got so intense that she ended her 10 year relationship and wanted him to leave me. He says it was nothing, no emotional affair or anything of the kind happened. It was all just words on a screen between 2 friends (she was his friends ex and known him for 30 years) this is apparently why it means nothing because they've been friends that long. He tells me i'm overreacting, which I know I'm not. I will add that we've been engaged for 14 years and now learned he's cheated for at least 5 of those. He gave the husband title away to another woman and thinks its nothing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 14:26

fireandlightening · 12/07/2026 14:22

I'm assuming he is the father of your children. Figure out what kind of support you need from him, what your rights are, and leave. Not half out of the door, all of it, all of you! More than the cheating itself (which is a betrayal) it is the gaslighting and attempt at normalizing this behaviour. It will only lead to more such. Get out while you still have your sanity intact.

Yes, he is the father of my children. Much to figure out because the children are autistic, but I already know that i'll be just fine without him.

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OldrNWisr · 12/07/2026 14:36

He’s either really stupid or he thinks you are. I can’t believe he’s even attempting to whitewash what he’s done.

PinkHibiscusFlowers · 12/07/2026 14:39

In my experience, friends have no wish to taste between one another’s legs …. Ever 🤢
No wonder you threw up.
You will be so much happier without this compete prize prick

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 14:40

OldrNWisr · 12/07/2026 14:36

He’s either really stupid or he thinks you are. I can’t believe he’s even attempting to whitewash what he’s done.

His new take on it is..maybe he has autism like the children and that's why he doesn't understand why it was an affair. I've already told him that it doesn't matter what comes out of his mouth I won't believe a word of it.

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FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 14:43

PinkHibiscusFlowers · 12/07/2026 14:39

In my experience, friends have no wish to taste between one another’s legs …. Ever 🤢
No wonder you threw up.
You will be so much happier without this compete prize prick

Yes, this was a new one for me too. I never knew that was how friends behaved. There are no words for him anymore, not nice ones anyway.

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Delphiniumandlupins · 12/07/2026 14:50

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 14:17

His comeback when questioned was it was 2 friends saying they love each other like friends do. Really? I've never had a male friend tell me he loves me, and I would feel uncomfortable if it had happened.

I have friends that I might say I love but I have no desire to "taste"! How does he expect you to believe he loves you and your family if he uses the words to someone else and it means nothing? Regardless, I wouldn't stay around to be treated with so little respect and taken for a fool.

OldrNWisr · 12/07/2026 14:53

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 14:40

His new take on it is..maybe he has autism like the children and that's why he doesn't understand why it was an affair. I've already told him that it doesn't matter what comes out of his mouth I won't believe a word of it.

What a load of crap and insulting to autistic people.

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 14:53

OldrNWisr · 12/07/2026 14:53

What a load of crap and insulting to autistic people.

Agreed.

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FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 15:02

Delphiniumandlupins · 12/07/2026 14:50

I have friends that I might say I love but I have no desire to "taste"! How does he expect you to believe he loves you and your family if he uses the words to someone else and it means nothing? Regardless, I wouldn't stay around to be treated with so little respect and taken for a fool.

Told him he was happy to play husband to her, so he's free to go make it official. I'm just glad we never got married. I guess deep down I must have known which is why I never brought it up after engagement.

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malloryknox123 · 12/07/2026 15:11

Why’s he still there, and why are you only half out the door? Why is he on a timer?

boot him out now or you never will

ScorpionLioness79 · 12/07/2026 15:54

Just assume he had a physical affair and get yourself tested for STDs. Your other priority will be getting legal counsel and get that ball rolling. Also, while there, ask what the legal timeline is for him to have time to move out, and if he has to be served an official letter or what the procedure is if he refuses to move.

He's of course crossed boundaries. Whenever one says or behaves in a way with a "friend" that they'd never let a SO see or hear, it's crossing relationship boundaries. A SO who truly cares about their partner would never hurt them in this way. Those kinds of people are selfish and can't love another properly.

I'd stop arguing with somebody who will just keep pissing you off with his excuses. Concentrate on getting good legal counsel, removing him as a co-user from bank accounts, credit cards, etc. if you have him on there. When he is served with custody papers, all further conversations should only be about co-parenting and logistics of him moving out. If he speaks about anything else like loving you and excuses, shut him down. Don't engage with that. I'm glad you have family, your sister, to support you in this situation. Take care.

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 18:18

Thanks everyone. I think I just needed to vent a little to clear my head. I left out the jewellery gifts he sent her which she often referred to as 'still wearing' and the money he often borrowed her. There has been too much between them for me to stay and be made a fool of. He had his chance and chose.poorly. This woman is off on a new journey, now is the time to focus on myself, my children, and prepare for my business officially launching.

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whippersnapper55 · 12/07/2026 18:18

I'd say to him the relationship is over, there's no coming back from this and to keep his excuses and lies to himself. You need to think practically and financially about your next steps. Can you afford the rent & bills? Can you have him removed from the tenancy agreement? You will need to make a claim for child maintenance. Keep all conversation with him about practicalities and shut down any other discussions. You will be ok OP, you're better off without this cheater 💐

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 18:23

As soon as I came across a gif in his gallery with both their faces on I knew it was more. It was the scene from friends where Joey tells Rachel he's falling in love with her, only it was my partners face and his "friends" face as Rachel.

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OchreRaven · 12/07/2026 19:25

You are definitely better off without him. He has no loyalty to you and if he claims that he doesn’t think that what he has done is cheating then there is nothing to stop him doing it again.

What’s the situation with the OW? Has he made any move to block and delete her or is he continuing their ‘friendship’? Is she still waiting for him after leaving her partner? Is she not annoyed at being strung along?

FutureWife369 · 12/07/2026 19:46

OchreRaven · 12/07/2026 19:25

You are definitely better off without him. He has no loyalty to you and if he claims that he doesn’t think that what he has done is cheating then there is nothing to stop him doing it again.

What’s the situation with the OW? Has he made any move to block and delete her or is he continuing their ‘friendship’? Is she still waiting for him after leaving her partner? Is she not annoyed at being strung along?

I told him to stop talking to her so he deleted all social media. Part of me wanted to believe him at first, but I can't help but feel they may be still in contact. The messages I found were on WhatsApp, and he admitted that he also spoke to her on FB messenger. A lot more messages that I haven't seen that would probably also make me sick. He can go chase her for all I care, she's welcome to him.

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